VCU Breaks Ground on $168M Children’s Medical Pavilion

Virginia Commonwealth University Health System broke ground Sept. 10 on a $168 million children's medical center in Downtown Richmond that officials say will be the largest, most advanced facility of its kind in the region. Completion is scheduled for 2015.

Virginia Commonwealth University Health System broke ground Sept. 10 on a $168 million children’s medical center in Downtown Richmond that officials say will be the largest, most advanced facility of its kind in the region. Completion is scheduled for 2015.

Located on East Broad St. between 10th and 11th Streets, the 640,000-square-foot facility will house 72 exam rooms; a surgical area with two operating rooms and two procedure rooms, space for diagnostics, imaging and lab services; and ground-level retail space. A 600-space attached parking garage will also be constructed.

VCU Health System will finance the project through reserve funds and bond sales. Of the $168 million budget, $105.8 million will be used for the pavilion, $23 million for the parking garage and $39 million for shell space for future growth. HKS Inc. is the project’s architect, while Skanska USA Building Inc. is in charge of construction.

“The new pavilion reinforces VCU’s significant commitment as a research university to human health, especially in advancing children’s health care,” said Michael Rao, president of the university. “The pavilion provides opportunities for VCU to have an even stronger impact in the community and to make a difference in the lives of so many children and families who need our help. Children’s health care significantly improves regionally and across the country when a research university invests in a comprehensive children’s hospital.”